Trump Claims US Bombed Iran's Kharg Island: Most Devastating Attack
United States President Donald Trump stated that the US military has conducted one of the Middle East’s most devastating bombing campaigns in history, completely destroying every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles nearly all of Iran’s crude oil exports.
“US Central Command conducted one of the most devastating bomb attacks in the history of the Middle East, and completely destroyed every MILITARY target on Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump said on social media, according to AFP on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
Trump indicated that the US has chosen not to destroy the island’s oil facilities at present. However, he issued a warning to Iran that any disruption to free and safe shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz would prompt immediate reconsideration.
“I have chosen to NOT destroy the oil infrastructure on the island. However, if Iran, or anyone, does something to disrupt free and safe shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider,” he said.
Trump added that the US would escort tanker ships through Hormuz shortly.
Kharg Island, located approximately 30 kilometres from Iran’s mainland, handles around 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports, according to recent data from JP Morgan.
Experts assess that any action in the region, which is roughly one-third the size of Manhattan, would have immediate consequences.
“A direct attack would quickly halt the majority of Iran’s crude oil exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure,” JP Morgan stated.
Iranian attacks have nearly halted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically sees one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through, and have also affected oil infrastructure in other Gulf countries.
Kharg experienced significant development during Iran’s oil expansion in the 1960s and 1970s. Most of Iran’s coastline is too shallow for supertanker vessels.